Yoonjung Kim1, Kyoung-Sook Lee2, Kyung-Nam Koh3. 1. Faculty of Red Cross College of Nursing, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-Ro, Dongjack-Gu, Seoul 156-756, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: yoonjung@cau.ac.kr. 2. Department of Nursing, Korean Bible University, 32 Dongil-ro 214-gil, Nowon-gu, Seoul, 139-791, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: dhsvnd75@gmail.com. 3. Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Olympic Road 43 Road 88, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: pedkkn@gmail.com.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Due to improved survival rates of childhood cancer, there has been growing attention to survivors. In addition, experiences of illness in youth, during growth and development, affect the lives of these individuals in numerous ways. With a sample of long-term survivors of childhood cancer, this study investigated their difficult experiences after treatment completion and provided fundamental data for intervention programs that can assist growth. METHODS: Data from 15 survivors aged 15-28 years old were collected through face-to-face interviews; analysis used Giorgi's phenomenological method. RESULTS: The long-term survivors' lives involved a process of struggle to overcome the difficulties. Survivors had physical vestiges of cancer treatments, such as physical strength limitations, appearance changes, and sexual problems. Additionally, they experienced social withdrawal and awkwardness due to adaptation difficulties caused by social life interruption, family issues, social prejudice, and discrimination. These physical and social struggles led to experiences of mental stress and psychological withdrawal, but were followed by rebound. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term survivors of childhood cancer experienced physical, social, and emotional struggles following treatment completion. These results can yield improved understanding of this population, facilitate attention to their challenges, and contribute to their more effective integration into society, helping them live healthy and positive lives.
PURPOSE: Due to improved survival rates of childhood cancer, there has been growing attention to survivors. In addition, experiences of illness in youth, during growth and development, affect the lives of these individuals in numerous ways. With a sample of long-term survivors of childhood cancer, this study investigated their difficult experiences after treatment completion and provided fundamental data for intervention programs that can assist growth. METHODS: Data from 15 survivors aged 15-28 years old were collected through face-to-face interviews; analysis used Giorgi's phenomenological method. RESULTS: The long-term survivors' lives involved a process of struggle to overcome the difficulties. Survivors had physical vestiges of cancer treatments, such as physical strength limitations, appearance changes, and sexual problems. Additionally, they experienced social withdrawal and awkwardness due to adaptation difficulties caused by social life interruption, family issues, social prejudice, and discrimination. These physical and social struggles led to experiences of mental stress and psychological withdrawal, but were followed by rebound. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term survivors of childhood cancer experienced physical, social, and emotional struggles following treatment completion. These results can yield improved understanding of this population, facilitate attention to their challenges, and contribute to their more effective integration into society, helping them live healthy and positive lives.